the life that characteerises the bladed forest
parent index.md file :
https://www.thaumworld.world/thaum_world/the_great_violet_spiral/lux/gorath/bladed_forest
the bladed forest is home to a large amount of variations of thick leafed foliage plants. some say the bladed plants help sway off the grazers of the dry_planes, on the south border of the bladed_forest.
https://www.thaumworld.world/thaum_world/the_great_violet_spiral/lux/gorath/dry_plains
ecological_role: decomposer, parasitic scavenger
this cold-adapted lichen thrives on decaying plant matter, but also slowly infiltrates living tissue, turning partially carnivorous. it spreads across dead wood and weakened plants, blending the line between decay and predation.
ecological_role: foundational producer, water source
large plants with thick and sharp blade-shaped leaves that store water and maximize sunlight intake. leaves harden significantly during winter, becoming ice-like and dangerous to traverse. serves as the primary producer and visual identity of the bladed forest.
ecological_role: seasonal barrier for graisers
long, thin plants with climbing and hanging growth behavior. roots latch onto trees, rock faces, and elevated structures, growing upward then dangling downward in sharp strands. becomes especially hazardous in winter, reinforcing forest borders against dry-plains grazers during food scarcity.
ecological_role: cave and underforest producer, low-light adapted
ground-rooted ridgid grasslike that grows upwards in mostly straight lines. requires minimal direct sunlight, relying on airborne moisture and ground minerals. in winter, ice forms along leaves creating icicle-like sheaths. common in caves and low-light environments, often visually similar to ice stalagtites or stalagmites.
preys_on: roots, underground growth
a fist-sized beetle that tunnels under roots, forming networks. they aid local fauna with accidental passageways yet gnaw on vital roots, making them both ecosystem engineers and pests.
preys_on: bladed_agave, hanging_manegrass
similar to leafcutter ants, these beetles shred sharp foliage, carving out agave leaves. they are most active in warm months, swarming freshly growing plants.
preys_on: tender foliage in warm season
emerging in warm months, these beetles form hives in abandoned tunnels. voracious foliage eaters, they vanish underground to hibernate in winter. in the warm months these come out and make a loud humming sound by rubbing their limbs together as a mating call.
preys_on: small birds, insects, carcasses
a feathered reptilian glider, resistant to sharp foliage, climbs icy blades and glides with leathery half-wings. it scavenges and hunts, in constant evolutionary competition with birds, driving both toward greater intelligence.
preys_on: roots, insects, small creatures
semi-intelligent creatures with long golden fur covering their entire bodies. they have learned to use primitive tools, often making use of the sharp plant matter abundant in the forest. these monkeys build extensive dens within the underground tunnels of the bladed forest. larger dens feature crude water systems including dams and reservoirs. their eyesight is often impaired by thick mane-like hair growth, and they have been observed cutting their own or each others hair as a form of grooming.
the villagers of the bladed forest have learned to coexist with these creatures through careful study and regular offerings. while intelligent, the monkeys can be dangerous, and the village maintains a respectful distance while ensuring peaceful cohabitation.
preys_on: fish, insects, small aquatic creatures
a medium-sized bird approximately the size of a raven. possesses strong wings with hardened feathers that exist between scales and feathers, protecting it from small cuts during winter months. these hard feathers are highly valued by locals for trinkets and small tools. new feathers shine with a smooth luster, but become scratched and dull over time. older birds often appear pale compared to younger specimens due to accumulated surface damage.
these intelligent birds are often offered food by villagers and can be trained as pets. their clever nature makes them responsive to human interaction, and many village households maintain relationships with individual birds.
preys_on: golden_ground_monkey, hard_feather_fisher_bird, foliage_shredder_beetle
descended from rodent-like ancestors, these sleek predators have adapted to the bladed forest’s sharp environment. they are known for using blade-shaped foliage as tools, swatting at prey or dislodging insects. their thick fur and burrowing instincts allow them to ambush from snow, and they possess problem-solving abilities. while not intelligent enough to interact with villagers, they avoid the village, recognizing it as a no-go zone. they remain an unpredictable wilderness menace, stalking prey with a mix of instinct and rudimentary cunning.
preys_on: golden_ground_monkey, hard_feather_fisher_bird, foliage_shredder_beetle
These feathered gliders hunt in coordinated packs, like vicious arial menaces about the size of a wolf. Their dense feathering protects them from ice and blades. They glide silently and harry prey, pushing the evolutionary race between birds and reptiles forward. Villagers and snout stalkers alike hunt them to manage their population. they have a hard semi-long beak like mouth with teeth.